DHS awards $5.1M task order to Agile Decision Sciences for engineering services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,137,938 ($5.1M)

Contractor: Agile Decision Sciences, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2024-04-17

End Date: 2026-04-16

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: BOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TASK ORDER.

Place of Performance

Location: ELIZABETH CITY, PASQUOTANK County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27909

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $5.1 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC for work described as: BOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TASK ORDER. Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. Task order duration of 729 days indicates a medium-term engagement for services. 3. The contract type is a delivery order, a common mechanism for acquiring services. 4. North Carolina is the performance location, potentially impacting local economic activity. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to engineering services. 6. The award amount is within a typical range for professional services task orders.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.1 million for engineering services over approximately two years appears reasonable. Benchmarking against similar task orders for professional services within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the use of full and open competition suggests that pricing was likely scrutinized by multiple bidders, which generally leads to more competitive rates.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The specific details on the number of bidders are not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters robust price discovery and encourages competitive pricing from multiple vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process like this is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of securing services at a fair market price, preventing potential overspending.

Public Impact

The U.S. Coast Guard, a component of DHS, will benefit from these engineering services. Services are expected to support the Coast Guard's operational and mission requirements. The performance location in North Carolina may lead to employment opportunities in that state. The specific nature of the engineering services will determine the broader public impact.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services.
The duration of the contract could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed carefully.
Potential for scope creep if the task order's objectives are not clearly defined and monitored.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a fair and transparent process.
The contractor, Agile Decision Sciences, LLC, has experience in professional services.
The task order is for engineering services, a critical function for the U.S. Coast Guard.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically engineering services (NAICS 541330). This sector is a significant component of federal spending, supporting a wide array of government functions. The market for engineering services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing specialized expertise. Federal agencies frequently utilize task orders under larger indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts or direct awards for such services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Agile Decision Sciences, LLC, will be responsible for delivering the services, and their own use of small business subcontractors would depend on their internal business practices and the nature of the services required.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would typically be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting officer and the designated contract specialist or administrator. Performance monitoring and quality assurance are key oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Homeland Security - Procurement
U.S. Coast Guard - Operations Support
Engineering Services Contracts
Professional Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Performance Risk
Cost Control Risk
Scope Definition Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $5.1 million to AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC. BOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TASK ORDER.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AGILE DECISION SCIENCES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-17. End: 2026-04-16.

What is the track record of Agile Decision Sciences, LLC with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Homeland Security?

Agile Decision Sciences, LLC has a history of receiving federal contracts, primarily for professional and technical services. A review of federal procurement data indicates they have been awarded various task orders and contracts across different agencies, including components of the Department of Homeland Security. Their performance history, including past performance evaluations and any disputes or contract terminations, would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment. While this specific award is for engineering services, their broader experience in IT, management consulting, and other professional services suggests a diverse capability. Further analysis would involve examining the value and duration of their previous awards, the agencies they have served, and any available contractor performance assessment reports (CPARS) to gauge their reliability and effectiveness in fulfilling government requirements.

How does the awarded amount of $5.1 million compare to similar engineering services task orders issued by the U.S. Coast Guard or DHS?

The $5.1 million award for engineering services over approximately two years is a moderate-sized task order within the federal contracting landscape. To benchmark its value, one would compare it to other engineering services task orders awarded by the U.S. Coast Guard or the broader Department of Homeland Security with similar scopes of work, durations, and performance locations. Factors such as the specific engineering disciplines required (e.g., naval architecture, civil engineering, electrical engineering), the complexity of the projects, and the labor categories involved significantly influence pricing. If similar task orders for comparable services have been awarded at lower or higher price points, it would indicate whether this contract represents a particularly good or fair deal for the government. The competitive nature of the award (full and open) suggests that the pricing is likely aligned with market rates.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific task order, and how are they being mitigated?

Potential risks for this task order include performance risk (contractor failing to deliver quality services on time), cost overrun risk (if the labor hours or scope exceed initial estimates), and technical risk (if unforeseen technical challenges arise). Mitigation strategies often involve robust contract oversight by the U.S. Coast Guard, clear performance work statements (PWS), defined milestones, and regular progress reviews. The use of a labor hours contract type (PT: LABOR HOURS) means that costs are directly tied to the hours worked, necessitating careful monitoring of labor utilization to prevent excessive costs. The contractor's past performance record and the competitive nature of the award can also serve as indicators of reduced risk. The contract's duration (729 days) also presents a risk of evolving requirements that may not be fully captured in the initial scope.

What is the expected impact of these engineering services on the U.S. Coast Guard's mission effectiveness?

The impact of these engineering services on the U.S. Coast Guard's mission effectiveness hinges on the specific nature of the engineering support provided. If the services are related to vessel maintenance, platform upgrades, infrastructure development, or the implementation of new technologies, they could directly enhance operational readiness, safety, and efficiency. For instance, engineering support for modernization projects could lead to improved asset performance and reduced downtime. Conversely, if the services are more administrative or broadly consultative, the direct impact on mission execution might be less pronounced but could still contribute to better planning, resource allocation, or policy development. Understanding the detailed scope of work is essential to quantify the precise contribution to the Coast Guard's core missions.

How has federal spending on engineering services by the Department of Homeland Security trended over the past five fiscal years?

Analyzing federal spending trends on engineering services by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over the past five fiscal years would reveal patterns in demand and investment. Typically, spending in this category fluctuates based on agency priorities, major acquisition programs, infrastructure needs, and budget allocations. A rising trend might indicate increased reliance on external engineering expertise for modernization or new initiatives, while a declining trend could suggest a shift towards in-house capabilities or reduced project pipelines. Comparing this $5.1 million task order against the historical annual spending for engineering services within DHS would provide context on its relative significance. Such an analysis often requires accessing detailed procurement data from sources like FPDS to aggregate spending by NAICS code (541330) and agency.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Arctic Slope Regional Corporation

Address: 350 VOYAGER WAY, HUNTSVILLE, AL, 35806

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,515,240

Exercised Options: $10,861,555

Current Obligation: $5,137,938

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D8174

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline